1 year commuting anniversary
 

Dang. I let my first year commuting anniversary slip by unnoticed. (August 14th.)

The past year has been a great experience. I've ridden in temps ranging from 14F to 101F, a little bit of rain, a tiny amount of snow, and a lot of sun. Almost all motorists have been very accommodating. (I have this theory that most people in my small city don't care to ride a bike, but they do care to live in a city where one could.) I've put less than 300mi on my car in the last year and my 15 year-old daughter will probably just take it over next spring when she gets a DL. I've influenced one guy at work to start bike commuting full time and several others part time.

One thing that I find interesting is that I'm still figuring things out after a year. How best to get a can of gas home for the lawn mower. How best to deal with a last-minute lunch meeting with a friend. How best to get to work with laptop, clothes, shoes, lunch AND join the local group ride in the evening. What is the best route to here or there. And where are the best placed to lock my bike at the businesses I patronize.

The best thing, though, is that I'm just happier out in the fresh air.

One year in; more to come.

Yeah man, it's a great thing. I'm going on a *nearly daily 30 mile commute for about 3 years now. I was still forgetting what to wear at certain temperatures, so I made a chart last winter for it -- end of problem.

That's about it! Keep it up ;).

Good job!! Keep it up, you're an encouragement to guys like me who are just starting.

Rock on! :)

Wow. From your post it seems you need to spend a little time on the Utilitarian forum. You're practically your carfree. Good on ya! Keep going. :thumb:

me too!

started out biking to the train station (2 miles each way). then figured I could do more, and eventually worked up to the full 12 miles each way.

2500m this past year!

Congratulations! I'm ready to hit my 5th anniversary. Sounds like you are getting through the big logistical hurdle and maybe settling into a new approach. Maybe you won't make every lunch invitation or your 14 pound laptop might be a little heavy for the commute... but dammit... you'll have a blast getting to and from work.

I opted for an Xtracycle as a commuter, not in the fast camp, but very doable. I have no regrets. I know it wouldn't work for everyone, but, it works for me.

Grats! I only made the commitment to bike to work in May (yes, during bike to work week), so you got me beat!

I have a question though... now that bike commuting is your "norm", do you look back and question why you ever drove?